Apparatus for Performing an Electrosurgical Procedure

ABSTRACT

A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members one of which is movable with respect to the other. A heat activated drive assembly operably couples to an actuation mechanism that is operably associated with the forceps and configured to supply thermal energy to the heat activated drive assembly. The heat activated drive assembly operably coupled to movable jaw member and configured to impart movement of the movable jaw member when the actuation mechanism is activated.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for performing anelectrosurgical procedure. More particularly, the present disclosurerelates to an electrosurgical apparatus including an end effectorassembly having a pair of jaw members that provide a mechanicaladvantage at the end effector.

2. Description of Related Art

Electrosurgical instruments, e.g., electrosurgical forceps (open orclosed type), are well known in the medical arts and typically include ahousing, a handle assembly, a shaft and an end effector assemblyattached to a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes jawmembers configured to manipulate tissue (e.g., grasp and seal tissue).Typically, the electrosurgical forceps utilizes both mechanical clampingaction and electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating the tissueand blood vessels to coagulate, cauterize, seal, cut, desiccate, and/orfulgurate tissue. Typically, one or more driving mechanisms, e.g., adrive assembly including a drive rod, is utilized to cooperate with oneor more components operatively associated with the end effector toimpart movement to one or both of the jaw members.

In certain instances, to facilitate moving the jaw members from an openposition for grasping tissue to a closed position for clamping tissue(or vice versa) such that a consistent, uniform tissue effect (e.g.,tissue seal) is achieved, one or more types of suitable devices may beoperably associated with the electrosurgical forceps. For example, insome instances, one or more types of springs, e.g., a compressionspring, may operably couple to the handle assembly associated with theelectrosurgical forceps. In this instance, the spring is typicallyoperatively associated with the drive assembly to facilitate actuationof a movable handle associated with the handle assembly to ensure that aspecific closure force between the jaw members is maintained within oneor more suitable working ranges.

In certain instances, the shaft may bend or deform during the course ofan electrosurgical procedure. For example, under certain circumstances,a clinician may intentionally bend or articulate the shaft to gaindesired mechanical advantage at the surgical site. Or, under certaincircumstances, the surgical environment may cause unintentional orunwanted bending or flexing of the shaft, such as, for example, in theinstance where the shaft is a component of a catheter-basedelectrosurgical forceps. More particularly, shafts associated withcatheter-based electrosurgical forceps are typically designed tofunction with relatively small jaw members, e.g., jaw members that areconfigured to pass through openings that are 3 mm or less in diameter.Accordingly, the shaft and operative components associated therewith,e.g., a drive rod, are proportioned appropriately. That is, the shaftand drive rod are relatively small.

As can be appreciated, when the shaft is bent or deformed (eitherintentionally or unintentionally) the frictional losses associated withdrive rod translating through the shaft are transferred to the spring inthe housing, which, in turn, may diminish, impede and/or preventeffective transfer of the desired closure force that is needed at thejaw members. Moreover, the frictional losses may also lessen theoperative life of the spring, which, in turn, ultimately lessens theoperative life of the electrosurgical instrument.

An increased mechanical advantage and/or mechanical efficiency withrespect to transferring the closure force(s) from the handle assembly tothe jaw members may prove advantageous in the relevant art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a forceps, The forceps includes ahousing having one or more shafts that extend therefrom and define alongitudinal axis therethrough. An end effector assembly is operativelyconnected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first andsecond jaw members one of which being movable relative to the other froman open position wherein the first and second jaw members are disposedin spaced relation relative to one another, to a clamping positionwherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissuetherebetween. A heat activated drive assembly operably couples to anactuation mechanism that is operably associated with the forceps andconfigured to supply thermal energy to the heat activated driveassembly. The heat activated drive assembly operably couples to onemovable jaw member and is configured to impart movement of the onemovable jaw member when the actuation mechanism is activated.

In embodiments, the heat activated drive assembly is configured to housean amount of one of a heat activated wax and shape memory alloy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelowwith references to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a side, perspective view of an endoscopic bipolar forcepsshowing an end effector assembly including jaw members according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a side, perspective view of the endoscopic bipolar forcepsdepicted in FIG. 1A illustrating internal components associated with ahandle assembly associated with the endoscopic bipolar forceps;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an electrical configurationconfigured to actuate a drive assembly operably associated with the jawmembers depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views of the jaw members depicted in FIGS.1A and 1B;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views of jaw members according to analternate embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an electrical configuration thatis configured for use with a drive assembly operably associated with thejaw members depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein;however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of thedisclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailedstructure.

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an illustrative embodiment of anelectrosurgical apparatus, e.g., a bipolar forceps 10 (forceps 10) isshown. Forceps 10 is operatively and selectively coupled to anelectrosurgical generator “G” (generator “G”) for performing anelectrosurgical procedure. As noted above, an electrosurgical proceduremay include sealing, cutting, fusing (i.e., joined but not sealed),cauterizing, coagulating, desiccating, and fulgurating tissue all ofwhich may employ RF energy. The generator “G” may be configured formonopolar and/or bipolar modes of operation. Generator “G” may includeor is in operative communication with a system (not shown) that mayinclude one or more processors in operative communication with one ormore control modules that are executable on the processor. The controlmodule (not explicitly shown) may be configured to instruct one or moremodules to transmit electrosurgical energy, which may be in the form ofa wave or signal/pulse, via one or more cables (e.g., an electrosurgicalcable 310) to the forceps 10.

Forceps 10 is shown configured for use with various electrosurgicalprocedures and generally includes a housing 20, electrosurgical cable310 that connects the forceps 10 to the generator “G”, a handle assembly30, a rotating assembly 80, an actuation mechanism 60, a triggerassembly 70, a heat activated drive assembly 130 (drive assembly 130)that includes a plunger 133, and an end effector assembly 100 thatoperatively connects to the drive assembly 130. End effector assembly100 includes opposing jaw members 110 and 120 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) thatmutually cooperate to grasp, seal and, in some cases, divide largetubular vessels and large vascular tissues. The drive assembly 130 is inoperative communication with actuation mechanism 60 (see FIGS. 1A and 1Bin combination with FIG. 2) for imparting movement of one or both of apair of jaw members 110, 120 of end effector assembly 100, described ingreater detail below. Conventional drive assemblies typically utilizeone or more types of springs, e.g., a compression spring, to facilitateclosing the jaw members 110 and 120. For illustrative purposes, acompression spring 131 (see FIG. 1B) is shown separated from the housing20.

For a more detailed description of the forceps 10 including rotatingassembly 80, trigger assembly 70, and electrosurgical cable 310(including line-feed configurations and/or connections), reference ismade to commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/595,194 filedon Nov. 9, 2006, now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0173814.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, forceps 10 includes a shaft12 that has a distal end 14 configured to mechanically engage the endeffector assembly 100 and a proximal end 16 that mechanically engagesthe housing 20. In the drawings and in the descriptions that follow, theterm “proximal,” as is traditional, will refer to the end of the forceps10 which is closer to the user, while the term “distal” will refer tothe end that is farther from the user.

Handle assembly 30 includes a fixed handle 50 and movable handle 40. Inone particular embodiment, fixed handle 50 is integrally associated withhousing 20 and handle 40 is movable relative to fixed handle 50 foreffecting one or more functions associated with the forceps 10. Forexample, in one particular embodiment, the movable handle 40 may beconfigured to provide electrosurgical energy to one or more operativecomponents, e.g., end effector 100, associated with the forceps 10.

Actuation mechanism 60 is operably associated with the forceps 10 and isin electrical communication with the drive assembly 130. Moreparticularly, when the actuation mechanism 60 is activated, one or bothof the jaw members, e.g., jaw member 120, is caused to move from aclosed or clamped position to an open position (or, in some instances,from an open to closed position). Actuation mechanism 60 is operablydisposed at a proximal end of the housing 20 and is in electricalcommunication with generator “G,” see FIG. 2, for example. Actuationmechanism 60 may be any suitable type of actuation mechanism, includingbut not limited to a button (e.g., a push-button 60), switch, lever,handle (e.g., a movable handle 40) or the like. In the illustratedembodiment, actuation mechanism 60 is in the form of a push-button 60.Push-button 60 is configured to actuate the drive assembly 130. Moreparticularly, push-button 60 serves as a switch and is configured toprovide current to the drive assembly 130 such that a thermal effect iscaused thereto, described in greater detail below. Push-button 60 is inelectrical communication with a lead 134 that is part of an electricalcircuit 150 (FIGS. 2-3B) and in electrical communication with driveassembly 130 (or one or more components operably associated therewith).In the illustrated embodiment, the lead 134 is bundled with one or moreother leads and/or wires that are disposed within the cable 310. Whenpush-button 60 is pressed, current is allowed to flow to drive assembly130, or component associated therewith, e.g., a heating element orfilament 139. The amount of current and other attributes associated withthe current that is utilized to activate the drive assembly 130 may beadjusted to achieve a desired effect at the drive assembly 130. Forexample, the greater the amount of current that flows to the driveassembly 130, the faster the drive assembly 130 moves one or both of thejaw members, e.g., jaw member 120, and/or the greater the clamping forcebetween the jaw members 110 and 120. Moreover, the time that current isprovided to the drive assembly 130 determines how long the driveassembly 130 maintains the jaw member 120 in the open (or closed)configuration.

With reference now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, drive assembly 130 is operablydisposed adjacent distal end 14 of the shaft 12 and the end effector100. Alternatively, the drive assembly 130 may be disposed anywhere inthe forceps 10 deemed advantageous for the purposes described herein.More particularly, drive assembly 130 is secured to an internal frameassociated with the shaft 12 by any suitable securement methodsincluding, but not limited to linkage, pins, stops, welds, adhesive,fastener, etc. Drive assembly 130 is configured to impart movement ofone or both of the jaw members 110 and 120. To this end, drive assembly130 includes a main housing 131 of suitable proportion. Main housing 131is configured to house one or more operative components associated withthe drive assembly 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the main housing131 includes therein or is made from a heat activatable wax 137, e.g.,paraffin wax. In certain embodiments, main housing 131 may includetherein or may be made from gas, liquid, or any heatexpandable/contactible material. The main housing 131 is configured suchthat when the heat activatable wax 137 is heated, a plunger 133 that isoperably disposed within the main housing is caused to translatedistally. To this end, main housing 131 is in electrical communicationwith the generator “G” via lead 134. More particularly, lead 134 isoperably coupled to a proximal end 132 of the main housing 131 via oneor more suitable coupling methods, e.g., lead 134 is soldered toproximal end 132.

Heating element or filament 139 is operably disposed within the mainhousing 131 and is in electrical communication with the lead 134. Moreparticularly, the filament 139 is operably secured, e.g., via a solderjoint or other suitable connection, to the main housing 131 adjacent theproximal end 132 and in operative communication with the heatactivatable wax 137. When push-button 60 is pressed, current from thegenerator “G” flows to filament 139 via the lead 134. The current heatsup the filament 139 such that the heat activatable wax 137 causesplunger 133 to move, e.g., translate distally.

While the drive assembly 130 has been described as including a filament139, it is within the purview of the present disclosure that the driveassembly 130 may function without the filament 139. For example, themain housing 131 may be coupled to the lead 134 in a manner thatprovides for the main housing 131 to function as the filament 139. Inthis instance, as current heats up the main housing 131 the heatactivatable wax 137 causes plunger 133 to move, e.g., translatedistally.

Plunger 133 is dimensioned to translate within the main housing 131 ofthe drive assembly 130 from an initial position, wherein jaw member 120is in the clamping position (FIG. 3A) to a subsequent position, whereinthe jaw member 120 is in the open configuration (FIG. 3B). A distal end135 of the plunger 133 operably couples to a proximal end of the jawmember 120 via one or more suitable coupling methods. In the illustratedembodiment, the distal end 135 is coupled to a proximal end 127 b (FIG.3A) of the jaw member 120 via a pin joint. Plunger 133 is configuredsuch that in the initial position, i.e., the clamped position, the jawmember 120 provides the necessary closure force at the jaw members 110and 120 for sealing tissue, e.g., in the range of about 3 kg/cm² toabout 16 kg/cm².

In certain embodiments, to facilitate cooling of the housing 131 and/orfilament 139, a coil 141 of suitable proportion may be operably coupledto the main housing 131 and may be configured to provide a path for oneor more coolants around an exterior of the housing 131. For illustrativepurposes, the coil 134 is shown separated from the main housing 131.Coil 134 supplies a chilled coolant that is configured to rapidly coolthe “heated” main housing 131, filament 139 and/or heat activatable wax137 to facilitate moving the jaw member 120 back to the clampingposition. Other methods for cooling the main housing 131 may includeconvection, conduction, and/or radiation to surrounding air orsurrounding material.

In the instance where a coil 141 is provided, the forceps 10 may be influid communication with a fluid source “FS” (FIG. 1A) that includes acirculating pump, reservoir, one or more hoses, etc. Fluid sources “FS”are well known in the art and will not be described in further detail.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, jaw members 110, 120 areoperatively and pivotably coupled to each other and located adjacent thedistal end 14 of shaft 12. Respective electrically conductive sealplates 118 and 128 are operably supported on and secured to respectivejaw housings 117 and 127 of respective the jaw members 110 and 120,described in greater detail below. For the purposes herein, jaw members110 and 120 include jaw housings 117 and 127 that are configured tosupport sealing plates 118 and 128, respectively.

Jaw members 110 and 120 including respective jaw housings 117 and 127,and operative components associated therewith may be formed from anysuitable material, including but not limited to metal, metal alloys,plastic, plastic composites, etc. In illustrated embodiment, jaw members110 and 120 are formed from metal. Jaw members 110 and 120 aresubstantially identical to each other, and, in view thereof, and so asnot to obscure the present disclosure with redundant information, theoperative components associated with the jaw housing 117 are describedin further detail with respect to jaw member 110, and only thosefeatures distinct to jaw member 120 and jaw housing 127 will bedescribed hereinafter.

A distal end 117 a of the jaw housing 117 of jaw member 110 isconfigured to securely engage the electrically conductive seal plate118. A portion of a proximal end 117 b of the jaw member 110 is operablysecured to the distal end 14 of the shaft 12. In the illustratedembodiment, jaw member 110 is stationary. That is, jaw member 110 doesnot move with respect to the shaft 12 and/or jaw member 120.

Unlike jaw member 110, jaw member 120 is movable. Jaw member 120pivotably couples to jaw member 110 via a pivot pin 111. Proximal end127 b includes a generally “L” shaped lever arm. This “L” shapefacilitates pivoting of the jaw member 120 when the plunger 133 istranslated distally. In embodiments, one or more cam slots (not shown)may be operably disposed on the plunger 133 to facilitate rotationalmovement thereof.

An opening 108 is defined in and extends through the each of the jawhousing 117 and 127 and is configured to receive a pivot pin 111.Opening 108 is shown engaged with pivot pin 111 and as such is notexplicitly visible.

In an assembled configuration each of the jaw members 110 and 120 arepositioned in side-by-side relation. Pivot pin 111 is positioned withinthe openings associated with each of the jaw members 110 and 120. Pivotpin 111 provides a point of pivot for jaw member 120. Once assembled,the jaw members 110 and 120 may be pivotably supported at the distal end14 of the shaft 12 by known methods, such as, for example, by the methoddescribed in commonly-owned U.S. Patent Application publication No.2007/0260242, filed Jul. 11, 2007.

In use, initially jaw members 110 and 120 are biased in a closedconfiguration (or, in some instances, a normally open configuration)under the force provided by the plunger 133 (FIG. 3A). Push-button 60 ispressed, which, in turn, causes current to flow to the lead 134 and thefilament 139. The current causes the filament 139 to “heat-up,” which,in turn, causes the heat activatable wax 137 to “heat-up.” Heating theheat activatable wax 137 causes the plunger 133 to translate distally.Distal translation of the plunger 133 causes the jaw member 120 to pivotabout the pivot pin 111. Plunger 133 is configured to translate apredetermined distance that corresponds to a predetermined opening ormoving of the jaw member 120. Based on a specific surgical procedure,the plunger 133 is configured to maintain the jaw member 120 in the openconfiguration for a predetermined amount of time or, alternatively, aslong as a user desires thru real-time control. Tissue is positionedbetween the jaw members 110 and 120, and jaw member 120 subsequentlymoves back to the closed or clamped position. The combination of a driveassembly 130 with a heat activatable wax disposed therein and a plunger133 provides an additional mechanical advantage at the jaw members 110and 120 and reduces the frictional losses that are typically associatedwith conventional forceps when a drive rod is translated within a shaftto make the necessary closure force to seal tissue, e.g., the requiredclosure force lower due to the position of the by the drive assembly 130at the distal end 14 of the shaft 12 than at the proximal end 16 of theshaft 12, esp., in embodiments involving longer and non-linear shafts.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a drive assembly 230 that isconfigured for use with the forceps 10 including an end effector 100 isillustrated. Drive assembly 230 is substantially similar to driveassembly 130. In view thereof, only those features that are unique todrive assembly 230 are described hereinafter.

Unlike drive assembly 130, drive assembly 230 includes a main housing231 that includes therein a predetermined amount or volume of shapememory alloy 237, e.g., Nitinol. The main housing 231 is configured suchthat when the shape memory alloy 237 is heated, a plunger 233 (linkageor the like) that is operably disposed within the main housing 231 andin operative communication with the shape memory alloy 237 is caused totranslate distally. To this end, main housing 231 is in electricalcommunication with the generator “G” via lead 134. Lead 134 isconfigured to function as described above with respect to drive assembly230.

The predetermined amount or volume of shape memory alloy 237 is formedinto a generally elongated configuration (or any shape capable ofproducing the desired effects described herein, e.g., helix, bellows,linear, “u-shape,” bent, wavy, etc.) and is operably disposed within themain housing 231. The elongated configuration of shape memory alloy 237is in electrical communication with the lead 134. More particularly, theelongated configuration of shape memory alloy 237 is operably secured,e.g., via a solder joint, pin, weld, linkage, fastener, etc., to themain housing 231 adjacent the proximal end thereof. The elongatedconfiguration of shape memory alloy 237 includes a cold forged statethat corresponds to an expanded position (FIG. 5A). When push-button 60is pressed, current from the generator “G” flows to elongatedconfiguration of shape memory alloy 237 via the lead 134. The currentheats up the elongated configuration of shape memory alloy 237 such thatthe elongated configuration of shape memory alloy 237 transitions fromthe cold forged state to the “recovered state”, i.e., expanded position,which, in turn, causes the plunger to translate distally.

A plunger 233 is dimensioned to translate within the main housing 231 ofthe drive assembly 230 from an initial position, wherein jaw member 120is in the clamping position (FIG. 4A) to a subsequent position, whereinthe jaw member 120 is in the open configuration (FIG. 4B). A distal end235 of the plunger 233 operably couples to a proximal end of the jawmember 120 via one or more suitable coupling methods, including but notlimited to pin joint. Plunger 233 is configured such that in the initialposition, i.e., the clamped position, the jaw member 120 provides thenecessary closure force at the jaw members 110 and 120 for sealingtissue, e.g., in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm².

In certain instances, a filament 139, such as the one described abovewith respect to drive assembly 130, may be operably coupled to the mainhousing 231. In this instance, the filament 139 may operably couple tothe elongated configuration of shape memory alloy 237 via one of theaforementioned coupling methods, e.g., brazing.

In certain embodiments, the shape memory alloy 237 may serve as aresistive heating element or it may have a heating element wrappedaround or bonded to it.

In certain embodiments, to facilitate cooling of the housing 231 and/orthe elongated configuration of shape memory alloy 237, coil 141 may beoperably coupled to the main housing 231 and may be configured toprovide a path for one or more coolants around an exterior of thehousing 231.

In use, initially jaw members 110 and 120 are biased in a closedconfiguration (or, in some instances, an open configuration) under theforce provided by the plunger 233 (FIG. 4A). Push-button 60 is pressed,which, in turn, causes current to flow to the lead 234 and the elongatedconfiguration of shape memory alloy 237. The current causes theelongated configuration of shape memory alloy 237 to “heat-up,” which,in turn, causes the plunger 233 to translate distally. Distaltranslation of the plunger 233 causes the jaw member 120 to pivot aboutthe pivot pin 111 (FIG. 4B). Plunger 233 is configured to translate apredetermined distance that corresponds to a predetermined opening ormoving of the jaw member 120. Based on a specific surgical procedure,the plunger 233 is configured to maintain the jaw member 120 in the openconfiguration for a predetermined amount of time or, alternatively, aslong as a user desires thru real-time control. Tissue is positionedbetween the jaw members 110 and 120, and jaw member 120 subsequentlymoves back to the closed or clamped position. The combination of a driveassembly 230 with an elongated configuration of a shape memory alloy 237that is in operative communication with a plunger 233 provides anadditional mechanical advantage at the jaw members 110 and 120 andreduces the frictional losses that are typically associated withconventional forceps when a drive rod is translated within a shaft tomake the necessary closure force to seal tissue, e.g., the closure forceis offloaded and/or diminished by the drive assembly 230.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings,those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications canalso be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof the same. For example, one or more types of resilient members 170(FIG. 3A) may be operably associated with one or both of the jawhousings 117 and 127 and may be utilized to facilitate moving one orboth of the jaw members, e.g., jaw member 120, back to the closed orclamped position and to cooperate with the drive assembly 130 to providethe necessary closure force on the jaw members 110 and 120 for sealingtissue, e.g., in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm².Suitable resilient members 170 (or other suitable device) may include,but are not limited to torsion springs, leaf springs, coil springs, gaspistons, bladders, foam rubber, elastomers, etc. Moreover, the resilientmember 170 may serve to prevent excessive forces developing on the jawmembers 110 and 120 when the jaw members 110 and 120 are clamped onlarge or small vessels.

It is contemplated that movable handle 40 of handle assembly 30 may beoperably coupled to the drive assembly 130, which, together, areconfigured to electromechanically cooperate to control a rate ofmovement of one or both of the jaw members 110 and 120. Moreparticularly, movable handle 40 may be operably coupled to a currentcontrol device 61 (e.g., an electromechanical switch, electronic controlsystem, a relay, a solenoid, a potentiometer, a rheostat, a variableresistor, etc.) that is in electrical communication with push-button 60via lead 134, see FIG. 5, for example. The current control device 61 isconfigured to control current flow to the drive assembly 130 (FIG. 4).In this instance, movement of the movable handle 40 alters and/or variesthe amount of current flow to the drive assembly 130. For example, in anembodiment, the current control device 61 may be a potentiometer 61 thatis in electromechanical communication with movable handle 40. In thisinstance, movable handle 40 may be configured such that proximalmovement thereof increases resistance of the potentiometer 61, which, inturn, for a given voltage, causes the current to the drive assembly todecrease, which, in turn, decreases how quickly the filament 139, andthus the heat activatable wax 137 (or shape memory alloy 237), heats up.As can be appreciated, controlling the rate (or temperature) at whichthe heat activatable wax 137 heats up may prove advantageous during anelectrosurgical procedure.

It is contemplated that the actuation mechanism may be integrated intothe movable handle 40 and/or trigger 70.

It is contemplated that the actuation mechanism may be actuatedautomatically when tissue is sensed. In this instance, one or moresensors may be operably associated with the forceps 10 and/or othercomponent operably associated therewith, e.g., one or both of the jawmembers 110 and 120.

While the jaw members 110 and 120 have been described in detail hereinas being movable from an initially closed configuration to the openconfiguration, it is within the purview of the present disclosure thatthe jaw members 110 and 120 may be movable from an initially open or“neutral” configuration to the closed configuration. This of course willdepend on the ultimate needs of a user.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

1. An endoscopic forceps, comprising: a housing having a shaft thatextends therefrom and defines a longitudinal axis therethrough; anactuation mechanism operably associated with the endoscopic forceps; anend effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the shaftand having a pair of first and second jaw members at least one of whichbeing movable relative to the other from an open position wherein thefirst and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative toone another, to a clamping position wherein the first and second jawmembers cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; and a heat activateddrive assembly operably coupled to the actuation mechanism, the heatactivated drive assembly operably coupled to the at least one movablejaw member and configured to impart movement of the at least one movablejaw member when the actuation mechanism is activated.
 2. An endoscopicforceps according to claim 1, wherein the heat activated drive assemblyis configured to bias the jaw members in the clamping position andprovide a closure force on tissue positioned between the first andsecond jaw members when the actuation member is not activated.
 3. Anendoscopic forceps according to claim 1, wherein the heat activateddrive assembly is in electrical communication with the actuationmechanism.
 4. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1, wherein theactuation mechanism is a push-button that is operably disposed on theendoscopic forceps.
 5. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1,wherein the heat activated drive assembly is operably disposed adjacentthe distal end of the shaft and the end effector.
 6. An endoscopicforceps according to claim 1, wherein the heat activated drive assemblyincludes a housing that is configured to support a predetermined amountof heat activatable wax.
 7. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 6,wherein the heat activated drive assembly includes a moveable plungerthat is operably disposed within the housing and operably coupled to theat least one movable jaw to impart movement of the at least one moveablejaw to the open position when the heat activatable wax is heated.
 8. Anendoscopic forceps according to claim 1, further comprising a fluidsource configured to supply coolant to the heat activated drive assemblyto facilitate moving the at least one movable jaw member back to theclamping position.
 9. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 6,wherein the at least one movable jaw member includes a generally curvedproximal end that operably couples to the plunger of the heat activateddrive mechanism.
 10. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1, whereina resilient member is operably coupled to the at least one movable jawmember and configured to facilitate movement thereof back to theclamping position.
 11. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 10,wherein the resilient member is selected from the group consisting ofcompression spring, torsion spring and leaf spring.
 12. An endoscopicforceps according to claim 1, further comprising movable handle that isoperably coupled to the heat activated drive assembly and configured toelectromechanically cooperate with the heat activated drive assembly tocontrol a rate of movement of one or both of the first and second jawmembers.
 13. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 12, wherein themovable handle is operably coupled to a current control device that isin electrical communication with the actuation device.
 14. An endoscopicforceps according to claim 13, wherein the current control device isselected from the group consisting of an electromechanical switch, arelay, a solenoid, a potentiometer, a rheostat and a variable resistor.15. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 13, wherein the currentcontrol device is configured to control current flow to the heatactivated drive assembly when the movable handle is moved in one of aproximal or distal direction.
 16. An endoscopic forceps according toclaim 13, wherein movement of the movable handle results in one ofincreasing and decreasing a resistance associated with the currentcontrol device such that, for a given voltage, current flow to the heatactivated drive assembly is one of increased and decreased, wherein anincrease in current to the heat activatable drive assembly increases atemperature associated therewith and a decrease in current to the heatactivatable drive assembly decreases the temperature associatedtherewith.
 17. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1, wherein theheat activated drive assembly includes a housing that is configured tosupport a predetermined amount of shape memory alloy.
 18. An endoscopicforceps according to claim 1, wherein the heat activated drive assemblyincludes a moveable plunger that is operably disposed within the housingand operably coupled to the at least one movable jaw to impart movementof the at least one moveable jaw to the open position when the shapememory alloy is heated.
 19. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 17,wherein the shape memory alloy is Nitinol.
 20. An endoscopic forcepsaccording to claim 17, wherein the shape memory alloy is includes agenerally elongated shape.